Veterans Affairs Education Benefit Overview
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Department of Veteran Affairs – GI Bill®
eBenefits – Gateway to Benefit Information
Summary of Educational Benefits by Chapter
Chapter 30 – Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty (MGIB)
The Montgomery G.I. Bill program provides up to 36 months of benefits to eligible individuals who entered military service on or after July 1, 1985, who had their basic military pay reduced by $100.00 per month for the first 12 months of their service and received a discharge specified as “HONORABLE” are eligible. Participants must have received a high school diploma or its equivalency before the end of your first obligated period of service. Benefits are payable for 10 years following release from active duty.
Chapter 31 – Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program
A veteran of W.W.II or thereafter who has a service connected disability which entitles him/her to DVA disability compensation and who is in need of vocational rehabilitation because the disability creates an unemployable handicap may be eligible for Chapter 31 benefits. Professional counselors from the DVA will help you plan an individual program. This includes the services and financial assistance needed to carry out the program.
The Post 9/11 GI Bill® provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.
The Post 9/11 GI Bill® is effective August 1, 2009. Approved training under the Post 9/11 GI Bill® includes graduate and undergraduate degrees, vocational/technical training, on-the-job training, flight training, correspondence training, licensing and national testing programs and tutorial assistance. All training programs must be offered by an institution of higher learning (IHL) and approved for GI Bill® benefits.
Transfer Of Post 9/11 GI Bill® Benefits To Dependents (TEB)
For the first time in history, service members enrolled in the Post 9/11 GI Bill® program will be able to transfer unused educational benefits to their spouses or children starting Aug. 1, 2009. Post 9/11 GI Bill® Benefits may also be transferred through the new Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship. The scholarship expands eligibility under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® to include children of an active duty service member in the Armed Forces who dies in the line of duty.
Note: VA does not determine eligibility for TEB
Chapter 35 – Survivors & Dependents Educational Assistance
Sons, daughters, and spouses of a veteran who dies on active duty, was released from active duty due to a service connected disability, permanently and totally disabled, MIA, POW, or detained by a foreign government while on or in the line of duty, may be eligible for benefits. Generally, the eligibility period for sons and daughters is between the ages of 18 and 26 years of age. A spouse may use educational benefits during a 10 year period after eligibility is found. A surviving spouse may use those benefits during a 10 year period after the veterans death or 10 years after the DVA determines the veterans death was caused by a service connected disability, provided the surviving spouse does not marry.
Chapter 1606 – Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve
Individuals who have agreed to serve six years in the selected reserve, on or after July 1,1985, re-enlisted or extended an enlistment for a period of at least six years may be eligible. Click here for general information.
Note: Active duty personnel are reimbursed for tuition and fees only, but are accessed entitlements charges at the rate of attend.